Culture minister says he assured president public media reforms pose no threat

Czech Culture Minister Oto Klempíř (Motorists) says he assured President Petr Pavel that the government’s planned overhaul of funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio would not threaten their independence. After meeting the president, Klempíř said the proposal would protect public media while keeping support for culture a priority. Pavel has called for an expert debate, warning that reduced budgets could affect the scope and quality of public broadcasting. The government plans to abolish licence fees, finance both broadcasters directly from the state budget and reduce their funding by about 15 percent, a move critics say could weaken their independence.